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Executive Summary

Table 1: Progress against the targets

Table 1 shows a summary of current progress against the seven Closing the Gap targets at a national level, as well as for each state and territory. It shows that:

Australia is on track to reach the target to halve the gap in child mortality by 2018. State level data is not available for this measure.

Australia is on track for 95 per cent of all Indigenous four-year-olds to be enrolled in early childhood education by 2025. All states (with the exception of the Northern Territory) are also on track to meet this target.

Australia is not on track to close the gap in school attendance by 2018, and no state or territory is on track for this target.

Australia is not on track to halve the gap in reading and numeracy by 2018. Of the states and territories, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory are the only jurisdictions on track to meet this target.

Australia is on track to halve the gap in Year 12 attainment by 2020. Of the states and territories, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory are all on track to meet this target.

Australia is not on track to halve the gap in employment by 2018. Of the states and territories, only New South Wales is on track to meet this target.

Australia is not on track to meet the target to close the gap in life expectancy by 2031. Using annual mortality data as a proxy indicator, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory are not on track to meet this target. There is no agreed trajectory for Western Australia. Data is not available for this measure for Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.

Chapter 2: Infancy and early childhood

Figure 1: Child mortality rates

Figure 1 shows child mortality rates for Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians between 1998 and 2016. An indicative trajectory of mortality rates required to halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five is also provided through to 2018.

The graph shows a declining trend for child mortality for both populations from 1998 to 2016, and that Indigenous child mortality rates are higher than non-Indigenous rates. 2016 data for Indigenous child mortality is inside the Indigenous variability band, indicating that Australia is currently on track for this target.

Figure 2: Child (0-4 years) mortality rates by jurisdiction, 2012-16

Figure 2 is a bar chart that shows child mortality rates for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians for each of Australia's states and territories for the period 2012-16. It shows higher child mortality rates for Indigenous Australians than for non-Indigenous Australians nationally and in all of the states and territories for which sufficient data is available (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory).

Figure 3: Indigenous maternal smoking and low child birthweight rates

Figure 3 is a line chart that shows the proportion of low birthweight singleton babies with Indigenous mothers over the period 2005 to 2015, and the proportion of Indigenous mothers that smoked during pregnancy over the period 2009 to 2015.

It shows that there has been a significant reduction in the proportion of Indigenous mothers who smoked during pregnancy, declining from 50 per cent in 2009 to 45 per cent in 2015. The proportion of low birthweight babies with Indigenous mothers has also declined, from 12 per cent in 2005 to 10.4 per cent in 2015.

Figure 4: Share of children fully immunised

Figure 4 is a line chart that shows immunisation coverage rates for Indigenous children and non-Indigenous children between 2007 and 2017 for three separate age cohorts: 1 year-olds, 2 year-olds, and 5 year-olds.

It shows that over the past 10 years Australia has continued to improve immunisation rates in all children, but most notably for Indigenous children aged five which were the first cohort nationally to reach the 95 per cent aspirational coverage target. There has also been a significant improvement in the rate for Indigenous 1 year-olds (around 8 percentage points).

Figure 5: Preschool enrolments by jurisdiction, 2016

Figure 5 is a bar chart that shows the proportion of enrolments in early childhood education in the year before full-time school for Indigenous and non-Indigenous children, nationally and for each state and territory in 2016. It also shows the agreed trajectory in 2016 for each jurisdiction to reach its target in 2025.

In 2016, all states and teritories, except the Northern Territory, had Indigenous early childhood enrolment rates above their trajectory points. At a national level, Indigenous enrolment was 91 per cent, which was above the required trajectory point of 87.8 per cent.

Figure 6: Preschool attendance by jurisdiction, 2016

Figure 6 is a bar chart that shows the proportions of Indigenous and non-Indigenous children enrolled in early childhood education who had attended a preschool program for at least one hour in the reference week, nationally and for each state and territory in 2016.
It shows that Indigenous attendance was lower than non-Indigenous attendance for all states and territories (with the exclusion of Tasmania). Nationally, 93 per cent of Indigenous children enrolled had attended in the year before full-time school compared to 96 per cent of non-Indigenous children.

Figure 7: Preschool attendance by remoteness, 2016

Figure 7 is a bar chart that shows the proportions of Indigenous and non-Indigenous children enrolled in early childhood education who had attended for at least one hour during the reference week in 2016 by remoteness.

It shows that the proportion of children attending early childhood education programs was generally lower in Very Remote areas particularly for Indigenous children. The gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children attending early childhood education programs was largest in Remote (6 percentage points) and Very Remote (11 percentage points) areas.

Figure 8: Preschool enrolments and attendance (600 hours or more a year), 2016

Figure 8 is a bar chart that shows proportions of Indigenous and non-Indigenous children enrolled in, and attending, preschool programs for 600 hours or more in a year in 2016. This is provided at a national level, as well as for each state and territory. Enrolment rates were generally similar for Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in all jurisdictions. However, proportions of Indigenous children attending a preschool program for 600 hours or more were lower in all jurisdictions.

Nationally, in 2016, most (93 per cent) of the Indigenous children enrolled in an early childhood education program were enrolled for 600 hours or more a year, 70 per cent of these attended for 600 hours or more.

Queensland had the highest proportion of children attending 600 hours or more (85 per cent), while the Northern Territory had the least (29 per cent).

Chapter 3: Education

Figure 9: Student attendance rates

Figure 9 shows trends in school attendance rates for Year 1-10 students in Semester 1, from 2014 to 2017, by Indigenous status. Three trends are presented: Indigenous attendance rate, Indigenous trajectories for the target, and non-Indigenous attendance rates. The national Indigenous attendance rate was 83.5 per cent in 2014, and 83.2 per cent in 2017. As there has also been no change in the attendance rate of non-Indigenous students, there has been no meaningful change in the gap.

Figure 10: Student attendance rates, by state and territory

Figure 10 is a bar chart that shows school attendance rates for Indigenous Year 1-10 students in Semester 1, by year and jurisdiction. Years presented are: 2014 and 2017. Data are presented separately for all states and territories, plus for Australia as a whole. There has been no meaningful improvement in attendance rates across any of the states and territories. The largest change has been in the Northern Territory, where the attendance rate fell by 4 percentage points from 2014 to 2017.

Figure 11: Student attendance rates, by remoteness, Semester 1 2017

Figure 11 is a bar chart that shows school attendance rates for Year 1-10 students in Semester 1 2017, by Indigenous status and remoteness. Remoteness categories presented are: Major cities; Inner regional areas; Outer regional areas; Remote areas; and Very remote areas. In 2017 the attendance rate for Indigenous students ranged from 86.8 per cent in Inner Regional areas to 64.6 per cent in Very Remote areas. As non-Indigenous attendance varies less with remoteness, the gap in attendance rates increases with remoteness.

Figure 12: Student attendance rates, by year level, Semester 1 2017

Figure 12 is a bar chart that shows school attendance rates in Semester 1 2017, by Indigenous status and school grade. Data are presented separately for the 10 school grades from Year 1 to Year 10. Attendance rates fall throughout the secondary grades, declining with increasing year level. The decline for Indigenous students is more rapid, and so the attendance gap increases throughout secondary school.

Figure 13: Proportion of students attending more than 90 per cent of the time by remoteness, Semester 1 2017*

Figure 13 is a bar chart that shows school attendance levels for Year 1-10 students in Semester 1 2017, by Indigenous status and remoteness. Attendance level is the proportion of students attending school 90 per cent or more of the time. Remoteness categories presented are: Major cities; Inner regional areas; Outer regional areas; Remote areas; and Very remote areas. The highest Indigenous attendance level was in Inner Regional areas (58.5 per cent) and it fell off sharply in remote areas (to 21.2 per cent in Very Remote areas). This relationship is weaker for non-Indigenous attendance levels, and so the gap is widest in remote areas.

Figure 14: Indigenous students meeting National Minimum Standards for reading

Figure 14 is a bar chart that shows trends in the proportion of students at or above national minimum standards in reading from 2008, by school grade. Two trends are presented: Indigenous results (to 2017), and COAG trajectories for Indigenous results (to 2018). The four school grades are: Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. In 2017, none of the four reading outcomes were consistent with the required trajectory points.

Figure 15: Indigenous students meeting National Minimum Standards for numeracy

Figure 15 is a bar chart that shows trends in the proportion of students at or above national minimum standards in numeracy from 2008, by school grade. Two trends are presented: Indigenous results (to 2017), and COAG trajectories for Indigenous results (to 2018). The four school grades are: Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. In 2017, one of the four numeracy outcomes (Year 9) was consistent with the required trajectory points, while in the other three grades' results were below the required trajectory points.

Table 2: Proportion of students meeting National Minimum Standards

Table 2 shows the proportion of students at or above national minimum standards, by year, Indigenous status, test domain, and school grade. Years presented are: 2008 and 2017. Indigenous status categories are: Indigenous, non-Indigenous, and Gap (non-Indigenous minus Indigenous). Data are presented for the two test domains covered by the target: reading and numeracy. The four school grades are: Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The proportions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieving at or above the national minimum standard were significantly higher than the proportions in 2008 (the baseline), for reading in Years 3 and 5 and for numeracy in Years 5 and 9.

Table 3: NAPLAN measures on track by jurisdiction, 2017*

Table 3 shows whether the NAPLAN measures of the reading and numeracy targets were on track in 2017, by jurisdiction, test domain, and school grade. Data are presented separately for all states and territories, plus for Australia as a whole. Data are presented for the two test domains covered by the target: reading and numeracy. The four school grades are: Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The Australian Capital Territory was the only jurisdiction on track across all eight areas. Tasmania was on track in all but two areas (Years 7 and 9 reading), while Victoria was on track in half the areas. New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia each had three areas on track. Both Queensland and the Northern Territory were only on track in Year 9 numeracy.

Figure 16: Indigenous students meeting National Minimum Standards for Year 3 reading, 2017

Figure 16 is a bar chart that shows the proportion of students at or above national minimum standards in 2017, by Indigenous status and remoteness. Remoteness categories presented are: Major cities; Inner regional areas; Outer regional areas; Remote areas; and Very remote areas. In Major City areas in 2017, 88 per cent of Indigenous Year 3 students met or exceeded the national minimum standard for reading, almost double the 46 per cent of students in Very Remote areas.

Figure 17: Reading results over time for the Year 9 2017 cohort

Figure 17 is a line chart that shows NAPLAN reading results for a single cohort from 2011 to 2017, by result measure, year, and Indigenous status. Data are presented for two types of result measure: the mean scale score, and the proportion of students at or above national minimum standards. Data are presented for four years: 2011, when cohort was in Year 3; 2013 (Year 5); 2015 (Year 7); and 2017 (Year 9). Mean scores for Indigenous students were lower than for non-Indigenous students in all four years, but scores for the Indigenous students showed a slightly larger increase over the six years between Year 3 and Year 9.

Figure 18 is a bar chart that shows the NAPLAN participation rate for Indigenous students in 2017, by remoteness and school grade. Remoteness categories presented are: Major cities; Inner regional areas; Outer regional areas; Remote areas; and Very remote areas. The four school grades are: Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. Indigenous participation rates fall in the secondary grades and in remote areas.

Figure 19: Year 12 or equivalent attainment rate, 20-24 year-olds

Figure 19 is a bar chart that shows the national level Year 12 or equivalent attainment rate and trajectories for 20-24 year olds, by Indigenous status. The Indigenous Year 12 attainment rate is presented for the Census years 2006, 2011 and 2016. It has improved considerably between each Census and has been on track for each Census year. The non-Indigenous Year 12 or equivalent attainment rate is presented for the Census years 2006, 2011 and 2016 and has improved but less markedly so.

Figure 20 is a bar chart that shows the Indigenous Year 12 or equivalent attainment rate and trajectories for 20-24 year olds, by state. The Indigenous Year 12 attainment rate is presented for the Census years 2006, 2011 and 2016. For each state, the attainment rate has improved considerably between each Census. South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory are above their trajectory points in each year. New South Wales and Tasmania were not on track in 2011 but are almost on track in 2016.

Figure 21: Attendance in education and Year 12 attainment rates by cohort

Figure 21 is a bar chart that shows attendance rates in education and training for Indigenous people aged 15-19 in 2006, 2011 and 2016; it also compares the Year 12 or equivalent attainment rate for the same cohort five years later (except for those aged 15-19 in 2016). Attendance rates for Indigenous people aged 15-19 are closely correlated with Year 12 or attainment rates five years after. In addition, both attendance rates and Year 12 attainment rates have been increasing between the three cohorts.

Figure 22: Year 12 apparent retention rate

Figure 22 is a line chart that shows the annual Year 12 apparent retention rate for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students between 2011 and 2016. The Indigenous retention rate has improved sharply between 2011 and 2014, and slightly between 2014 and 2016. The non-Indigenous retention rate has improved slightly between 2011 and 2016.

Chapter 4: Employment

Figure 23: Employment rates, 15-64 year-olds

Figure 23 is a bar chart that shows the employment rate for 15-64 year olds, by Indigenous status for Census years 2006, 2011 and 2016. The Indigenous employment rate has declined slightly between each Census year, while the non-Indigenous employment rate has been stable for each Census year. The Indigenous employment rate excluding CDEP participants is also shown on the chart for 2006 and 2011, showing that the Indigenous employment rate (excluding CDEP) has increased slightly between each Census year.

Figure 24 is a bar chart that shows the Indigenous employment rate for 15-64 year olds, by state for Census years 2006 and 2016. Between 2006 and 2016, the Indigenous employment rate has increased in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory; been stable in Tasmania; and fallen in the other states. The Indigenous employment rate excluding CDEP participants is also shown on the chart for each state in 2006. Between 2006 and 2016, the Indigenous employment rate (excluding CDEP) has increased in New South Wales, Victoria, the Australian Captial Territory and the Northern Territory; been stable in Tasmania; and fallen in the other states (but less than when comparing with the employment rate including CDEP).

Figure 25 is a bar chart that shows the Indigenous labour force participation rate and unemployment rate for 15-64 year olds, for Census years 2006, 2011 and 2016. Between 2006 and 2016, the participation rate has been broadly stable, while the unemployment rate has increased.

Figure 26: Indigenous employment rates by gender, 15-64 year-olds

Figure 26 is a bar chart that shows the Indigenous employment rate for 15-64 year olds by gender, for Census years 2006, 2011 and 2016. Between 2006 and 2016, the Indigenous male employment rate has fallen, while the female employment rate has increased. The Indigenous employment rate excluding CDEP participants is also shown for 2006 and 2011. Compared with the Indigenous employment rate (including CDEP), the Indigenous employment rate (excluding CDEP) has fallen for males between 2006 and 2016 but to a lesser extent, and has risen for females but to a greater extent.

Figure 27: Indigenous participation rates in education and employment

Figure 27 is a bar chart that shows Indigenous participation rates in education and employment for 15-19 year olds and 20-24 year olds, for Census years 2006 and 2016. It shows that the proportion of 15-19 year olds who are not in study or work has increased sharply between 2006 and 2016, but been broadly stable for 20-24 year olds. There has also been a decline in the proportion of Indigenous people combining work and study, and the proportion of those only working part-time between 2006 and 2016 for both age groups.

Chapter 6: Healthy lives

Table 4: Life expectancy at birth

Table 4 shows the life expectancy at birth for Indigenous and non-Indigenous males and females, as well as the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous males and females, for the periods 2005-2007 and 2010-2012.

It shows that between the periods 2005-2007 and 2010-2012 the estimated life expectancy at birth for Indigenous males increased by around 0.3 years per year, and by around 0.1 years per year for Indigenous females – this led to a small reduction in the gap of 0.8 years for males and 0.1 years for females.

Figure 28: Mortality rates

Figure 28 shows annual Indigenous and non-Indigenous mortality rates over the period 1998 to 2016, as well as an indicative trajectory band that is required to meet the Closing the Gap target through to 2031.

It shows that between 1998 and 2016, the overall Indigenous mortality rate declined significantly, by 14 per cent. Despite these long-term improvements, there has been no significant change in the Indigenous mortality rate between 2006 (baseline) and 2016 and the current Indigenous mortality rate is not on track to meet the target. Mortality rates are also continuing to decline for non-Indigenous Australians, which explains why the gap has not narrowed since 2006.

Table 5: Life expectancies at selected ages: 2010-2012

Table 5 shows the life expectancy at selected ages for Indigenous and non-Indigenous males and females, as well as the gaps, for 2010-2012.
It shows that the life expectancy estimates for Indigenous Australians are lower compared to the non-Indigenous life expectancy estimates at all selected ages for males as well as females. However, the gap narrows from 10.6 years at birth to just 0.4 years at age 85 years for males, and from 9.5 years at birth to 0.3 years at age 85 years for females.

Figure 30: Smoking trends for Indigenous Australians

Figure 30 is a bar chart that shows the smoking status of Indigenous Australians (aged 15 years and over), from 2002 to 2014-15. Proportions are presented for three smoker categories: Current smokers, Ex-smokers, and Never smoked. Data are presented for four years: 2002, 2008, 2012-13, and 2014-15. From 2002 to 2014-15, the proportion of Indigenous current smokers decreased and proportions of Indigenous ex-smokers and never smokers increased.